Powell refusing to panic after Watford defeat

Tommie Hoban put the Hornets in front on 29th minute but Ricardo Fuller restored parity within six minutes.

Watford’s Fernando Forestieri was sent off in first half stoppage time after picking up a second yellow card for diving.

And even though the Addicks dominated the second half against their 10-man visitors, it was they who snatched victory thanks to Almen Abdi’s well taken 70th minute free-kick.

Charlton may not have slid any further down the table as a result of this loss but they remain dangerously close to the relegation places, although Powell refused to be downbeat afterwards.

“Not at all because we’ve only had nine games,” the manager said.

“I would always say this season that we can’t base our team on last year.

“We only lost five games last year but in a different league with different quality.

“I think what it is we’ve had an up and down start to the season and I would say that is how it is going to be throughout the season.

“We had a decent start so everyone was quite buoyant, then we got by the three defeats so we are down, then we won at Ipswich and had a good performance against Blackburn so everyone was up.

“It already shows what this year is going to be like with regards to the Championship.”

Powell added: “It is important to get that first goal, it is important to try and be as clinical as you can but we are creating, which is pleasing.

“We need to get some clean sheets, we’ve only had one.

“I think last year our season was based on that, now we can’t get one.

“We definitely need to work as hard as we can to get one because I feel we do have good quality in the attacking third but no, there is no need to be concerned.

“As we’ve seen with quite a few teams already this season you can be on a fantastic run and then all of a sudden you can be on a real poor one.

“It is going to be up and down and you’ve just got to try and keep as calm as you can and go into the next game looking for three points.

“That’s all we can do.”

But Powell was far from happy with the way his struggling side had gifted victory to the visitors.

He said: “We’ve been hurt by two set plays but I suppose things aren’t really falling for us at the moment.

“We started off quite well and got hurt by the goal but Ricardo took his goal very well, got ourselves back in the game and the sending off I would say would tip it in our favour.

“We had a lot of possession and you’ve got to keep calm at times.

“I know everyone thinks ‘well it is 10-men you’ve got to be a bit gung-ho’ but I think you’ve just got to keep calm and make sure you don’t lose the game.

“There was a bit of quality by their fella for the goal.

“I just need us to be a bit more clinical.

“We got crosses in and they threw their bodies in front of a lot of shots. It just didn’t fall for us in the end.”

On Forestieri’s dismissal, the Valley chief added: “It was a dive he booked him for, I can’t remember the first one.

“It is Mike Dean’s decision, he has made it and I suppose there is a lot of talk about simulation and referees are clamping down on it.

“If Mike feels that is right then he makes the decision, he is the man out there in charge.”

Rob Hukse came off the bench late on to make his debut but Powell explained why he was happy to resist the temptation to start both him and fellow new signings Abdul Razak.

“I felt the players from their performance on Saturday against Blackburn warranted to be in the side,” the boss said.

“Obviously we lost Johnnie Jackson and Ricardo Fuller was ill on Friday night so he came straight back in, partnered Brad and I felt they looked a good pair.

“Rob and Abdul only trained with us yesterday and the boys were still recovering/preparing for today so it was my intention to have them in the 18.

“We will see on Saturday if they start and obviously we’ve got the international break after that.”

Follow us on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt